Cardano is fighting to maintain its dominance as newer, high-performance chains threaten to disrupt the status quo. The high-performance chain in question is Hyperliquid, with the HYPE price snapping at the heels of ADA, just $700M in market cap separating the two projects.
It comes as HYPE surged +3.6% on the day, while ADA dropped -0.5%, as all momentum is currently with Hyperliquid following a bullish 12 months since its token launch.
This price action trails a broader market surge, as Bitcoin finally shattered the $74,000 ceiling, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and accelerating capital rotation into digital assets.
However, the data suggests a shifting landscape. While ADA volume spiked to $492.9M on March 13, indicating institutional interest is not dead, the rotation into faster, more speculative infrastructure plays like Hyperliquid is undeniable.
Can Cardano (ADA) Rally to $0.40 Amid Market Shift?
Cardano’s recent price action offers a classic recovery setup for patient investors. After consolidating between $0.2493 and $0.2767 for much of early March, ADA broke out above local resistance, hitting $0.2906 as of March 17, 2026. This represents a solid +10.65% gain over the last week.
The technical structure is improving (if fragile). Support has firmly established around $0.2620, a level that was vigorously defended during the March 12 dip. The immediate hurdle for bulls is sustaining momentum above $0.29 to attack the psychological $0.40 target.
However, the “heavy bag” theory applies here. With a market cap hovering between $10Bn and $12Bn, moving the needle for ADA requires a significant influx of capital. As noted by market observers, doubling the price from here demands unrealistic buying pressure compared to lower-cap competitors. If Bitcoin retraces from its $74,000 highs, ADA could easily tumble back to test the $0.26 support floor.
Is the HYPE Price Going to $50? HIP-3 Network Upgrade Set to 10x Hyperliquid Fees
$HYPE is now trading over $40
It was a matter of time until more people join the narrative
It's pretty clear that the sentiment is 100% bullish and also a visible up-trend
Which in my opinion it's not going to stop here, the next cycle gonna be interesting for $HYPE pic.twitter.com/geYp9v1mZJ
— Shuarix
(@Shuarix) March 17, 2026
With the HYPE price breakout to $41, it has now breached a longstanding resistance zone at $40. The next key overhead sits at $43.
Now Hyperliquid needs to use reclaimed levels and fresh support between $38.50 and $40 to push into the overhead and start forming support pivots.
From a fundamental standpoint, the upcoming HIP-3 network upgrade for Hyperliquid is a bullish catalyst that could push the HYPE price to $50.
Assuming Hyperliquid doubles the current HIP-3 volume, the fees generated by HIP-3 would go from around $250k per day to $2.5M per day, a 10x increase.
It may take a while for traders and volumes to become more sticky, but Hyperliquid is quickly cementing itself as the strongest performer throughout the 2025/2026 cycle.
Bitcoin Hyper Targets Early Mover Upside as it Closes in on $32M Presale Funding
Bigger. Faster. Stronger.
Bitcoin Hyper.
https://t.co/VNG0P4GuDo pic.twitter.com/aRBt7ZQ75n
— Bitcoin Hyper (@BTC_Hyper2) March 17, 2026
While Cardano offers stability, the returns that initially drew investors to crypto, 10x or 50x multiples, are mathematically unlikely for a project of its size. This reality is driving capital toward Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), a project attempting to solve the trilemma of speed, security, and cost by building the first Bitcoin Layer 2 with Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) integration.
This is not just another token; it is an infrastructure play. Bitcoin Hyper claims to deliver performance faster than Solana itself while anchoring to Bitcoin’s settlement layer. The presale data confirms significant market appetite. As of today, the project has raised exactly $31.97M, signaling massive early conviction.
Ideally positioned for those seeking the next breakout narrative, HYPER is currently priced at $0.0136771. The project offers a Decentralized Canonical Bridge for BTC transfers and high staking APY at 37%, appealing to yield-hungry investors.
While older “Ethereum killers” like Cardano struggle with congestion or slow development, Bitcoin Hyper represents the new wave of projects that are bringing smart contracts to the world’s most secure chain, yet another Ethereum Layer-2.
Visit the Bitcoin Hyper Presale Website Here
The post Hyperliquid Closes in on Cardano: Is HYPE Price On Verge of Pump to $50? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
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